Back in November I posted the pre-deregulation version of American’s 727-200 with 16 seats in first class and 111 in coach. Those were the days of generous legroom in coach, almost being equivalent to that of first class.

Here, now, is how American’s -200s changed in the post-deregulation era for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps.

One row of first class was removed giving this version 12 seats up front. And seat pitch was significantly tightened and rows added in back creating a cabin holding 138 passengers.

My very first flight ever was on this configuration of American’s 727-200 in 1982. I sat in 7A behind my parents and grandmother in the bulkhead seats in row 6. If this bird were flying today, I’d probably also opt for a seat near the front in coach, and 4F would be ideal in first class.

Where would you sit?

Related posts:

American Airlines Boeing 727-200 (1977)

American Airlines Boeing 727-100 (1977)

Top 10 Viewed Vintage Airline Seat Maps

I previously posted American’s 727-100 from 1977 and here now is the stretched -200 series for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps.

American offered 16 seats in first class and 111 in coach on this pre-deregulation 727-200. Seat pitch in first was probably around 38-inches and economy likely had a very generous 36-inch pitch.

Following deregulation, American removed one row of first class, offering 12 seats up front. And in economy, they tightened the pitch and added rows to bring the cabin capacity to 138 – a whopping increase of 27 seats! I’ll post that seat map in a future installment.

In first, you’d find me in 4F or 5F and in coach I’d be keen on a window in row eight or nine.

Where would you sit?

Related posts:

American Airlines Boeing 727-100 (1977)

American Airlines Boeing 727-100 (1985)

United Airlines Boeing 727-200 (1979)

It’s time for a little narrowbody love in this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. Shown below is a Continental Airlines Boeing 727-200 seen flying the skies in 1987.

Formerly a People Express bird, this all-coach, high-density aircraft was likely flying the shuttle routes in the Northeast corridor. Seat pitch must have been punitive as most other all-coach 727-200s flying in the late-1980s had four fewer rows, such as this one from Braniff.

You’d find me in a window seat near the front, such as 5F.

Where would you sit?

Related posts:

Piedmont Boeing 727-200 Seat Map

Eastern Airlines Boeing 727-200 Seat Map

Continental Airlines Boeing 727-100 Seat Map

United Airlines had a few variations of the Boeing 727-200 flying the skies in 1979 and I’ve selected the -222A configuration for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps.

Seating a total of 132 passengers, there were 14 seats in first class with 38” pitch and 118 in coach at 34” pitch (ah… those were the days of “economy plus” throughout coach). It’s interesting to note they had a flight attendant jumpseat at 15D in the overwing exit row. The later versions I flew in the 1980s didn’t have this location.

I’d sit faaaar away from the smoking section in first class and probably go for 2A or 3D. In coach, I’d definitely be in a window near the leading edge of the wing.

Where would you sit?

Related seat map posts:

United Airlines Boeing 727-100 (1978)

Continental Airlines Boeing 727-100

Eastern Airlines Boeing 727-100

American Airlines Boeing 727-100 (1977)

American Airlines Boeing 727-100 (1985)

It’s time again to feature a narrowbody aircraft for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps and I’ve selected one of Eastern Airlines’ Boeing 727-200s seen flying the skies in the late 1980s. The carrier had four different configurations of the -200 and this one was their highest density bird in 1987 seating 177 passengers in a single class of service.

What I find particularly interesting about this configuration is the rather punitive nature of having only two lavatories for its increased capacity. Perhaps it was flown on short-haul shuttle-style markets and I’d love to hear from any readers if they know more.

I’d prefer a seat near the forward part of the cabin with aisle seats 1D and 2D looking particularly attractive. Otherwise, I’d opt for a window in say… row three or four.

Where would you sit?

Piedmont Airlines began operations in 1948 from its home base of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and eventually grew into a national carrier with a route network stretching to the west coast (and later to London’s Gatwick Airport). The east coast was still its strength with the largest frequencies operating from hubs in Charlotte, Baltimore and Dayton. Everything I’ve read about the carrier seems to indicate it was a beloved airline by passengers and employees, and the absorption by USAir in 1989 was heartbreak to many. The former Henson Airlines operates currently as Piedmont Airlines as a regional carrier within US Airways operating Dash-8 aircraft.

Here is Piedmont’s Boeing 727-200 seat map in a two-cabin configuration seating 12 passengers in first class and 134 in coach. In first class you’d find me in row 3 or 4 away from the galley and row 5 certainly looks appealing in coach, but I wonder if there is really as much room at that bulkhead as what appears. Otherwise I’d select a window seat a few rows back for optimal camera use forward of the wing. How horrible would rows 27 and 28 be? Ouch!

Where would you sit?

I’ve selected a Delta Air Lines Boeing 727-200 for this edition of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. The carrier operated another version, with the only basic difference being that the rear galley was on the right starboard side of the aircraft. I liked the 727, as did the pilots. Takeoff thrust is eerily quiet when sitting up front (or in the cockpit as I did so many times), though not as much as the MD-80 family. The same cannot be said for those sitting in the back, and I do recall sitting back there in those last two rows on occasion or two. Nothing like piercing & vibrating Stage 2 engines for a couple of hours! In first class you’d most definitely find me in row 3 or 4 (didn’t like the galley view from rows 1 & 2), and in coach I’d be content with a seat in rows 10-13.

Where would you sit?

For this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps, I selected a single-class Braniff Boeing 727-200. Seating 160 people, I thought it was interesting Braniff elected to only have one galley area for a relatively high density aircraft. On most other airlines operating the dash-200s, you’d find a second one near the rear exit doors. Braniff was still flying back when I began mileage running, and I do remember making a few calls to them to check on fares, but they never seemed to match the lowball fares I’d frequently find on the Chicago to Kansas City route. If I did end up flying them, you’d probably find me sitting as far forward as possible, probably in a window like 3A/F or 4A/F if it was a short flight.

Where would you sit?